The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing,
majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of
him and what came to my mind and heart in Judges 6:14-16,
"The Lord turned to him [Gideon] and said, 'Go in the strength you
have and save Israel out of Midian's hand. Am I not sending you?' 'But
Lord', Gideon asked, 'how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in
Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.' The Lord answered, 'I will
be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites together.'"
The Midianites were very oppressive to Israel. We are told, "Because
the power of Midian was so oppressive, the Israelites prepared
shelters for themselves in mountain clefts, caves and strongholds."
Verse 2. Additionally, they were strong in number, "They [the
Midianites] came up with their livestock and their tents like swarms
of locusts. It was impossible to count the men and their camels; they
invaded the land to ravage it." Verse 5.
This concern voiced by Gideon of his weakness was no feigned humility.
I am quite certain he was anything but what might be recognized as a
great warrior. He tells the Lord his clan was the weakest in Manasseh
and he was the least in his family. A perfect choice for the Lord!
Why a perfect choice? At a time when Israel evidenced little faith in
the Lord's promise to bring victory, the Lord demonstrated something
of his strength and faithfulness as the Almighty. The Lord can and
will bring victory when he says he will, leaving no need for concern
or fear. He can be trusted entirely and is entirely capable. The Lord
will not require a great warrior to bring victory. He can do more than
enough with and through the weakest among us.
Our weakness is the canvas upon which the Lord demonstrates his strength.
I am reminded of Paul's comment in this regard, "He [the Lord] said to
me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in
weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my
weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for
Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in
persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
2 Corinthians 12:9-10.
This is good news for me. When the Lord asks we do something, we need
not worry about strength and abilities. He always faithfully provides
us all we need. "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so
that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will
abound in every good work." 2 Corinthians 9:8.
The Lord can do great things... even with a wimp!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share
what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to
hear from you!
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
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